2 Virginia Men Charged In Robbery Of Cocoa Pair

COCOA — Two Virginia men have been arrested on charges of robbing and pistol- whipping an elderly Cocoa couple at their home Friday morning.

Morris Anthony Mickins, 28, and Perlinzie Wright, 36, both of Richmond, were being held Monday in the Brevard County Jail in Titusville, Cocoa police said.

The two are accused of breaking into the home of Howard and Nyra Smalley at 307 N. Georgia Ave., pistol-whipping them and robbing them of $7.

Mrs. Smalley, 70, who was struck twice in the face, suffered bruises and severe cuts requiring stitches, Cocoa police Detective Mike Blubaugh said. She was treated at Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge. Her 70-year-old husband was struck once on the right side of the face, Blubaugh said.

Mrs. Smalley told police she was in the kitchen about 8:30 a.m. when she heard noises in the living room. She was attacked by two men when she entered the room, Blubaugh said.

Smalley, who was asleep in the bedroom, awakened during the scuffle and was attacked when he ran to help his wife.

The men stole $7 from Smalley's wallet, ripped the telephone off the wall and fled in a blue and white car with a Virginia license tag, Blubaugh said.

Two hours later, Officer Cliff Johns saw a car on Temple Street matching the car's description. Wright, who was alone in the car, was arrested after Johns ran a warrants check and discovered he was wanted in connection with a Virginia robbery.

On Monday Wright was charged with armed burglary, armed robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery in connection with the Cocoa robbery.